More than 300 large families in the Vitebsk region received new housing in 2009

October 14, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. More than 300 large families in the Vitebsk region have received new housing this year. This was announced today at a festive reception in honor of Mother's Day by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, BELTA correspondent reports. "Today we honor mothers, because raising a person is the noblest mission and labor. Children are our greatest wealth, the golden fund and strategic resource of any nation and people," the governor said. In the Vitebsk region, a set of practical measures is being implemented to support motherhood and the institution of the family. In particular, the first phase of modernization of the Vitebsk Regional Children's Clinical Hospital has been practically completed. District hospitals and paramedic-obstetric stations are being built in agro-towns. 50.8 thousand residents of the region receive child care benefits for children under three years of age. 24.3 thousand families received targeted social assistance in the amount of Br4.9 billion. 5.6 thousand children under two years of age, or 29.7% of the total number of children of this age, were provided with free meals. Br4.3 billion was allocated from the state budget for these purposes. Alexander Kosinets noted that the demographic situation in the region is gradually improving. Based on the results of nine months, the birth rate is 10 people per thousand population. In total, 9.4 thousand new residents of the region were born in January-August, which is 4.3% more compared to the same period last year. The number of marriages increased by 3.8% and the number of divorces decreased by 6.8% during this period. The head of the region also did not ignore pressing problems. "The most painful issue for the state today is social orphanhood. In the Vitebsk region alone, 1660 children have been removed from dysfunctional families in the last two years. 3170 children from 1.9 thousand families are in unfavorable conditions," Alexander Kosinets stated with bitterness. Thanks to the work carried out, 971 children were able to return to their biological parents. The main part of the festive event was the awarding of prizes. Five mothers with many children were awarded the Order of Motherhood, and 26 received regional awards named after Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko. The chairman of the regional executive committee also addressed special words of gratitude to the keepers of the hearth who are raising foster children. Numerous events dedicated to Mother's Day were held in all cities and districts of the Vitebsk region throughout the week. Cultural and educational institutions of the region prepared special concert and literary programs in honor of the holiday. -0-